NFL Player News

Williams (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Williams had his reps capped in practice for the second day in a row, but if he's able to maintain that level of activity Friday or upgrade to full participation, he should be in good position to play this weekend versus the Giants. After scoring 17 touchdowns in 17 games with the Lions in 2022, Williams has yet to find the end zone through his nine appearances with the Saints and is averaging a career-low 3.0 yards per carry.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday, "We'll see," regarding Dillon's (thumb) ability to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Dillon has focused on rehab instead of practice so far this week due to a thumb injury, but LaFleur wouldn't specify its nature Thursday, saying, "I'm not getting into the details of that." Lafleur did tell Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site that Dillon got hurt on the team's final offensive possession this past Sunday but gutted through it as Green Bay took a brief 22-21 lead at the Giants with less than two minutes remaining. As the Packers backfield stands, Aaron Jones appears to be in a far better spot, health wise, than Dillon as he progresses through the later stages of his recovery from the sprained MCL that he suffered back in Week 11.

Mattison (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game in Cincinnati.

Mattison sustained a sprained right ankle on the Vikings' first offensive play of the second half this past Sunday in Las Vegas. The severity of the issue hasn't been revealed, but he was unable to practice this week and thus will miss his first game of the season. Mattison will yield Minnesota's backfield to Ty Chandler in Week 15 and potentially beyond that point.

Stevenson (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Stevenson, who missed the team's Week 14 win over the Steelers, also missed Wednesday's session, which clouds his availability for Sunday's game against the Chiefs. If Stevenson is deemed unavailable this weekend, Ezekiel Elliott once again would be in line to lead the Patriots backfield, as he did versus Pittsburgh.

Jones (knee) participated in Thursday's practice, Kassidy Hill of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

As of Wednesday's estimated injury report, Jones had strung together four straight limited listings as he draws closer to recovering from the sprained MCL that he suffered Week 11 against the Chargers. So far, he's missed three games in a row as a result of the issue, which allowed AJ Dillon to lead the Packers backfield during that stretch. Having said that, Dillon has yet to practice this week due to a thumb concern, so Jones could have RB reps to himself Sunday versus the Buccaneers if he's able to return and the former is limited or sidelined.

With Jonathan Taylor (thumb) ruled out by coach Shane Steichen, per JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site, Moss once again is slated to lead the team's backfield Saturday against the Steelers.

Moss thus is in line to start at running back for the third consecutive week in place of Taylor, a context that gives the 2020 third-rounder continued fantasy utility Week 15. In the Colts' 34-14 loss to the Bengals this past Sunday, Moss carried 13 times for 28 yards and caught four of his eight targets for 28 yards, but a bounce-back effort could be in store against the 7-6 Steelers, who have lost back-to-back contests.

Dillon (thumb) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Dillon also was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a thumb issue after previously dealing with a groin injury the previous three weeks, when he filled in for Aaron Jones (knee) out of the Packers backfield. This time around, Dillon seems to be in more danger of sitting out Sunday versus the Buccaneers than Jones does after the latter was at least limited Thursday. Friday's injury report may reveal who among the duo enters the weekend with an injury designation.

Coach Shane Steichen relayed Thursday that Taylor (thumb) won't play Saturday against the Steelers, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Taylor thus is slated to miss his third straight game, which sets the stage for Zack Moss to continue to lead the Colts' rushing attack Week 15. Taylor will now target a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 24 against the Falcons.

Strong isn't practicing Thursday due to an undisclosed reason, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Strong didn't appear Wednesday on the Browns' initial Week 15 injury report, so it's unclear why he's not on the field a day later. Elsewhere in the Cleveland backfield, Kareem Hunt (groin) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, while Jerome Ford (wrist) opened Week 15 prep as a limited participant.

Pacheco (shoulder) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco, who didn't practice last week, also missed Wednesday's session, so unless the running back gets some work in Friday, he could be trending toward another absence Sunday against the Patriots. If Pacheco remains sidelined this weekend, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon would be in line to lead Kansas City's Week 15 backfield.